‘Hundreds’ of Tough Mudder participants report rashes, infections after California race
Participants in a recent Tough Mudder event have come down with rashes and infections, California authorities say.
And participants say hundreds of people may have fallen ill.
Sonoma County health officials issued an Aug. 23 health advisory to participants in the obstacle course race Aug. 19 and Aug. 20 at the Sonoma Raceway.
The advisory warns that some participants have reported “rash with fever, muscle pain, or nausea” following the event.
“Anywhere on my body that touched the ground had red spots,” participant Chris Palakos told KTVU, adding that as many as 350 people who took part in the event have fallen ill.
“You wake up the next day and you’re like, what is all this on my arm? Like what is going on here? And it’s on both arms. That’s where I was digging and doing army crawls and it’s on the inside of my knees where I was pushing off of as well,” Nicole Villagran told KGO.
Tough Mudder events involve obstacle courses in which participants crawl through mud and overcome challenges such as climbing over logs or traversing rope courses.
In a statement to McClatchy News, organizers said “the health and safety of the Tough Mudder community is always our top priority” and encouraged anyone with medical concerns to contact a doctor.
Tough Mudder officials also said they have reached out to all participants and opened an investigation to determine the cause of the illnesses.
“The Tough Mudder race involved extensive skin exposure to mud,” the Sonoma County health advisory said. “Most affected persons have pustular rash, fever, myalgias, and headache.”
Those symptoms may indicate a minor illness known as swimmer’s itch, but also could suggest a staph infection or a more serious bacterial infection such as Aeromonas, the advisory said.
Aeromonas hydrophila is a type of bacteria natural to mud and brackish water, according to Canadian health officials. It can cause numerous kinds of infections.
Some of those who reported falling ill after the Tough Mudder event say they are already recovering.
“Pretty much gone, you can’t really see much of it but from the elbows up and knees down, I was just covered in these like pimply red blister type things,” Curtis Vollmar told KGO.
Health officials advised anyone with rashes or other symptoms to contact a doctor or call the agency at 707-565-4567 for more information.
After-game brawl between 49ers, Raiders fans erupts at California In-N-Out, reports say
Overdue 64-year-old hiker found dead in canyon at Utah national park, rangers say
Hundreds of bats found infesting high school as classes begin, Utah officials say
